In search for a light popper and small crank rod

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freelancer27
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In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by freelancer27 » Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:05 pm

Hi all,

I would like to upgrade the rod (a Okuma EVX crank air rod) that I use for my poppers and crankbaits. While the rod is decent for the money it is not the lightest and most sensitive one.

I would like to be able to throw 1/4 - 3/8 oz poppers and cranks on it with the occasional 1/2oz.
Reel will be a Steez SV TW. Line will braid to 12# mono leader.

I also would prefer a shorter rod ( def. Below 7').

Price range is max of 330 USD. I would like to take advantage of the current sales.


Thanks all for your recommendations!

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:00 pm

Honestly the Major Craft Corzza 6'9" MHF 2-piece will surprise you. It is actually more of a medium+ power rating IMO and leans towards the moderate side of fast, I'd rather it as a mod-fast +.

It is awesome with co-poly/mono tossing a 3/8 popper and has a light enough tip to handle 1/4 , and enough backbone for 1/2 oz shallow/med cranks. It is about perfect for the tight surrounds and rivers/creeks I fish here in Middle Tennessee.

I have it paired with my tuned Monoblock Grigio Titanio and Steez Limited SV 105 spool with 8lb CXX for 3/8 poppers and walkers, 1/4-3/8 buzzbaits. I also pair it with an OG Aldebaran MG7 with Avail spool and 10lb X9 + 12lb fluoro leader for 1/4 beetle spins, 1/4 - 3/8 small cranks and 1/8-1/4 oz Neds and Tokyo rigged tubes and finesse plastics.

Another rod that has really surprised me and is higher end, more sensitive, and built exceptionally well that may work, is the Legit Design Wild Side 6'10" Medium. It is more of a mod-fast but loads very well into the backbone and is much more powerful than the MC Corzza...but it is awesome with co-poly fluoro or mono. Be advised that it has micro guides and connection knots may not pass through as cleanly as on the Corzza. This is a true do-it-all 3/8-3/4 rod for the river and kayak fishing I do. A highly modded and Ian-tuned TD-ito lives on this rod for me with a ZPI PG spool.

I really don't have another recommendation as I only have a few rods under 7'0" that I used for 1/8-1/2 oz lures.

Good luck.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:03 pm

If you can, try and locate an OG GLoomis MBR 782 IMX/GLX...it'll serve you well for what you're wanting to do.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

freelancer27
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by freelancer27 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:55 pm

Thanks dragon1 for your suggestions!

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:07 pm

freelancer27 wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 4:55 pm
Thanks dragon1 for your suggestions!
Yeppers, you are very welcome.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

Drakestar
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by Drakestar » Sun Jul 03, 2022 6:32 pm

A IMX Pro Cast Rod 6'8" Med Topwater 802 TWR would come in under $330 with the current sales.

mrpao
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by mrpao » Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:43 am

Expride 6'10" med.
It is a pretty good topwater rod. I thrown both poppers and walking baits on it.
It has enough flex it would make a decent shorter cranking rod.
Both the new B model and old A model seem to have the same action.
The new model is slightly lighter in weight and has a hook keeper, but in a not so good spot.

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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by Dman » Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:33 am

I concur with MRPao! Expride loads up nicely! I've used it quite a bit for poppers and walking baits and it keeps a high percentage of the fish pinned. I've also use frequently for 3/8 oz 1.5 cranks and it does a nice job of keeping fish pinned!

freelancer27
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by freelancer27 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm

Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:02 pm

freelancer27 wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm
Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.
Which rods did you end up ordering?
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

freelancer27
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by freelancer27 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:57 am

dragon1 wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:02 pm
freelancer27 wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm
Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.
Which rods did you end up ordering?
These fellas:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Cast Rod 6'10" Med L
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Medium
Shimano Expride A Casting Rod 6'10" Medium
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Med Lt

I am sure there are more that would have fit the bill.

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 1:00 pm

freelancer27 wrote:
Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:57 am
dragon1 wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:02 pm
freelancer27 wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm
Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.
Which rods did you end up ordering?
These fellas:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Cast Rod 6'10" Med L
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Medium
Shimano Expride A Casting Rod 6'10" Medium
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Med Lt

I am sure there are more that would have fit the bill.
Holy Macaroni, that's a pretty strong list...can't wait to see your final assessment of which one(s) to keep!
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

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Hogsticker2
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by Hogsticker2 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 6:32 pm

freelancer27 wrote:
Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:57 am
dragon1 wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:02 pm
freelancer27 wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm
Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.
Which rods did you end up ordering?
These fellas:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Cast Rod 6'10" Med L
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Medium
Shimano Expride A Casting Rod 6'10" Medium
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Med Lt

I am sure there are more that would have fit the bill.
I think you will find the Abu a little too soft and light. I also think that you will like the Expride best. I've been through a few lol. Finally found THE ONE in a custom Point Blank 701mf.

freelancer27
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by freelancer27 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 9:48 pm

Hogsticker2 wrote:
Wed Jul 06, 2022 6:32 pm
freelancer27 wrote:
Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:57 am
dragon1 wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:02 pm
freelancer27 wrote:
Mon Jul 04, 2022 4:15 pm
Thanks guys! Ordered a couple from TW and will keep what I like.
Which rods did you end up ordering?
These fellas:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Cast Rod 6'10" Med L
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Medium
Shimano Expride A Casting Rod 6'10" Medium
WILD SIDE Casting Rod 6'6" Med Lt

I am sure there are more that would have fit the bill.
I think you will find the Abu a little too soft and light. I also think that you will like the Expride best. I've been through a few lol. Finally found THE ONE in a custom Point Blank 701mf.
Yeah, I think that is what I am kind of expecting too. Curious about the Wild sides!

dragon1
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Re: In search for a light popper and small crank rod

Post by dragon1 » Thu Jul 07, 2022 3:39 am

I bumped a post by TT member goldrod, that was a main determining factor as to why I picked my Legit Design Wild Side 6'10" Med...I am truly impressed and very much enjoy that rod for the tight river areas I fish and it has been a very multi-purpose stick that feels so very reminiscent of the MBR 843 IMX/GLX, but more backbone, more of a mod-fast+ taper, better aesthetics, and has a rear handle that makes for easy manipulation for twitch type baits.

I'm curious as to whether the 6'6" M or ML will serve your purposes better, and why you didn't select the 6'10"?
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

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